Improvement in breech-loading fire-arms



J S. ADAM S.

Breech-Loading Fire-Arm.

Patented Sept 27, 1864.

W itr e sses I -PETERS. PHOTO-L|THDGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. 0 C.

' STATES JOHN S. ADAMS, OF 'IAUNTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

Specification forming part of Letters PatentNo. 441,37 7, datedSeptember 27, 1864.

To [0% whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN S. ADAMS, of thetown of Taunton, in the county of Bristol, in the State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inBreech- 'Loading Fire-Arms; and the following is a full,

mode of constructing and securing the sliding trigger-guard. Fig. IIIshows the front end view of the cartridge-chamber andsliding guard. Fig.IV is a top view of the breech of a carbine. Fig. V' shows two views ofthe hinged breech-block detached from the chamber.

My invention consists in hinging to the rear end of a movablecartridge-chamber a breechblock, so that it may open to receive ametallic, Sharps, or other cartridge from the rear end, and close itselffirmly when the chamber is brought into position for firing the piece.

My invention further consists. in the mechanical device for withdrawingor ejecting the discharged copper cartridge-cases by the slidingtrigger-guard, and the mode of attaching the same to the movablechamber.

Toenable others skilled in the art to make and use my improvements inbreech-loading fire-arms, I will describe them in detail, referring tothe drawings, and to the letters marked thereon.

My improved breech-loading fire-arms may consist of muskets, carbines,and pistols. I make the frame A, to which the stock, the barrel, thelock, and the movable cartridgechamber B are attached, in the samemanner, and insert the chamber in the opening, and secure it by the samearrangement of mechanism for which I obtained Letters Patent dated the11th day of August, 1863, and

numbered 39,455, so that these parts require no further description inthis specification.

The movable cartridge'chamber B is made in length to fill aboutfour-fifths of the opening in the frame A, with the hole I) to receivethe cartridge through it longitudinally, and when in position for firingis in a direct line with the bore of the barrel cl. To the upper cornerof the rear end of the rotating chamber-piece B is hinged a solidbreeoh-block, O, which is fitted so as to form a perfect joint, 0, onthe rear end of the chamber B, and fills the space in the frame A. lVhenthe chamber B is brought into position for loading, as seen in Fig. I inred lines, the breech-block B will be opened by sliding thetrigger-guard E downward in the grooves h h, with it the ejecting deviceI, the prongs pressing against the inner face of the breech-block O,causing it to open, so that the cartridge may be inserted. WVhen thepressure on the trigger-guard is relaxed, the spiral spring It draws itback to its position, leaving the bore in the chamber unobstructed. Whenthe cartridge is inserted, the hinged breech-block O is closed and thecartridge pressed firmly forward to its place by the movement of thechamber as it is brought into position for firing. I The piece isdischarged by the hammer striking upon the cone 6, or uponpercussion-caps placed upon it. WVhen other than metallic cartridges areused, the cone 6, or piston, is made with an enlarged portion, so as toform a shoulder, which fits in a cavity in the breech-block O,

and is inserted from the inside, so that it cannot be forced out by theexplosion of the cartridge, and is held in its place by the screw 9. Theprojection f on the inner face, j, comes in contact with the rim of themetallic cartridge and indents it, so as to cause the explosion to takeplace. I change the position of the cartridge-chamber B, and open it toreceive a cartridge of any kind of fixed ammunition by the slidingtrigger-guard E, which is fitted to the movable chamber B by doubletongues and grooves h h, so as to possess great strength, and at thesame time withdraw and eject the empty cartridge-cases, which iseffected by a fork or two stiff prongs, i i, secured to the guard E, theprongs, being fitted into and embedded in recesses made for them in theunder portion of the rear end of the chamber B, when the guard Eds heldup by the spiral spring Ir, placed longitudinally between it and ber Bfor that purpose.

2 new the chamber. The portion of the guard that reaches back of thetrigger Zis s0 shaped as to form a spring, on, it having a hole throughit to snap onto a stud or knob, n, which secures all firmly in place forfiring. WVhen the guard is released from the knob 02 by pressing itdownward, the spring 70 yields and allows it to slide in the grooves hh, carrying with it the prongs t 1', they removing the emptycartridge-case. The breech-block 0 being open and held by the spring 0,another cartridge is inserted, and then by bringing the guard to itsplace and securing it on the knob the piece is loaded, fired, andreloaded with great facility, the guard E being limited in its slidingmovement by a stop-pin, r, placed in it, and another in the under sideof the cham- Having thus fully described my improvements inbreech-loading fire-arms, whatI claim as new, and desire to secure byLetters Pati ent, isl 1. The mode of attaching the trigger-guard to themovable chamber by means of tongues and grooves or their equivalent,thereby securing strength to open and close the chamber, at the sametime allowing the guard to slide to open the breech and eject the emptycartridge-case, in the manner specified.

2. Operating the device for withdrawing or ejecting the metalliccartridgecase from breech-loading fire-arms by a sliding longitudinalmovement of the trigger-guard.

3. The movable cartridge chamber B, the hinged breech-block G, thesliding triggerguard E, the spiral spring is, and the ejecting device I,all in combination, and operating in the manner herein described, forthe purposes set forth.

JOHN S. ADAMS.

Witnesses:

EDM. F. BROWN, J. B. WOODRUFF.

